NEWS - April 2004

Cick on date for story
John Wayne Airport News Release, April 30, 2004
"John Wayne Airport Passenger Levels Remain Robust"

El Toro Info Site Report, April 30, 2004
Norby plans ahead to second term

Press Enterprise, April 29, 2004
"Airport updating its long-range plan "

OC Register, April 29, 2004
"Cox seeks base information"

OC Register, April 29, 2004
"Great Park advocated as new county fair site"

LA Times, April 28, 2004
"Final Hahn LAX Plan to Be Released"

El Toro Info Site report, April 27, 2004
Newport has an issue with Irvine over lack of park space

LA Times, April 26, 2004
"Some See Winner in Hollywood Park Move"
"Idea is in exploratory stages. But Inglewood, at least, is eager to find uses for racetrack's 237 acres."

Daily Pilot, April 24, 2004
"Fairgrounds may move to Great Park"

El Toro Info Site report, April 23, 2004
ALUC Untouchables

El Toro Info Site Report, April 22, 2004
Navy and Irvine meet

El Toro Info Site Report, April 21, 2004 10:30 AM
What the Judge said

OC Register, April 21, 2004
Irvine's Great Park plan gets initial environmental approval

OC Register, April 19, 2004
"Inland airports beckon O.C."

OC Register, April 19, 2004

"El Toro airport backers cling to hope"

LA Times, April 18, 2004
"LAX Contract Prompts Questions"

Daily Breeze, April 17, 2004
"Hahn's missteps on LAX analyzed"

El Toro Info Site Report, April 16, 2004
Airport Land Use Commission remains obstinate

Laguna Beach Coastline News, April 16, 2004
"Low rumble overhead"

LA Times, April 15, 2004
"Official Offers Alternative LAX Proposal"

LA Daily News, April 14, 2004
"Hahn backs Antelope Valley rail route"

Daily Pilot, April 14, 2004
"Airport debate reaching new altitudes"

LA Times, April 14, 2004
"LAX Officials Ask FAA to Probe System Failure"

El Toro Info Site report, April 10, 2004
Population growth by county

Daily Pilot, April 8, 2004
"Airport Working Group not giving up"

LA Times, April 8, 2004
"Modified LAX Plan on Hahn's Radar?"

Irvine World News, April 7, 2004 - updated
"Newport Beach wants to get ‘warm and fuzzy’"

Daily Pilot, April 7, 2004
"Long lessons learned: Airport fight not over"

El Toro Info Site report, April 6, 2004
LA Airport Board President resigns

El Toro Info Site report, April 6, 2004
Some suggestions for Newport Beach

Daily Pilot, Editorial April 4, 2004
"Mending fences easier in tandem"

Daily Breeze, April 3, 2004
"LAX panel chief's fate will be left in his own hands"

LA Times, April 2, 2004
"Long-Range Transit Plan Is Approved"


El Toro Info Site Report, April 1, 2004
Diehards won't let go of El Toro

Click here for previous news stories


John Wayne Airport News Release, April 30, 2004
"John Wayne Airport Passenger Levels Remain Robust"

"John Wayne Airport passenger levels continued to rise at a steady pace as 759,365 travelers passed through the Thomas F. Riley Terminal in March 2004. This 15.7% increase over March 2003 continues a string of consecutive months with record setting passenger levels."

Airport Director Alan Murphy attributed the increase to Orange County's environment and to "customer accessible amenities such as adjacent parking facilities and a pedestrian friendly terminal."

Website Editor: Los Angeles Mayor Hahn, please take note as you consider making LAX less accessible.

Click here for the FAA's 1999 forecast of JWA's 2004 utilization, which will be close to the mark.


El Toro Info Site Report, April 30, 2004
Norby plans ahead to second term

Chris Norby campaigned for supervisor in anti-El Toro territory with a slogan urging voters to "count to three." His victory over Cynthia Coad gave the anti-airport side its first crucial 3-2 majority on the Board of Supervisors. 

Without Norby, the County would face the chaos of Measure W in force but Smith-Silva-and Coad lobbying, delaying and subverting the base conversion to non-aviation use. Smith and Silva supported LA's effort to take over El Toro and invited the federal government to bypass W - but by then they were no longer the Board majority.

Norby is planning a run for a second term in 2006 with a kick off fundraiser:

What: Norwegian Independence Day celebration

When: May 20, 5:30-7:30 PM

Where: Tate Building, 701 N. Parkcenter, Santa Ana

Who: For reservations, call Laura Cunningham, 714-937-1005

How much: $250 with checks to Norby for Supervisor, mailed to Norby for Supervisor, 214 N. Yale Ave. Fullerton, CA 92831

Press Enterprise, April 29, 2004
"Airport updating its long-range plan "

"Although much work remains on an updated master plan for San Bernardino International Airport, initial projections call for the former military base to handle as many as 2.5 million passengers and nearly 750,000 tons of cargo by 2023, according to statistics released Wednesday."

"The airport, which includes much of the land that was the former Norton Air Force Base, does not have regularly scheduled commercial air service now, although airport officials are negotiating with a company that wants to ferry tourists to and from the Las Vegas area several times a week."

"Given that lack of service now, it might seem difficult to imagine nearly 400,000 passengers and 410,000 tons of cargo flowing through the airport's empty terminal by 2008, as called for in a rough forecast shown Wednesday to the San Bernardino International Airport Authority." More . . .

Website Editor: What about SCAG's bold forecast that SBD will serve 8.7 MAP by 2030?

OC Register, April 29, 2004
"Cox seeks base information"

"Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Newport Beach, has sent two letters to the Defense Department seeking more information about matters at the former El Toro Marine Air Station."

"He asked about the department's decision to close the El Toro commissary and he wants more information on the suitability of using vacant housing at the closed base for active military personnel."

"The Department of Defense had considered allowing military families from Camp Pendleton to live in the El Toro houses but later decided against it. The government said the housing would be too costly to renovate and the commute would be too long, according to a news release sent out by Cox's office."

More from the Daily Pilot . . .


OC Register, April 29, 2004
"Great Park advocated as new county fair site"
"Proposed move to Irvine strikes 'sour note' in Costa Mesa."

"The idea - to move the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center to the proposed Great Park in Irvine - was floated by Assemblyman John Campbell, R-Irvine, as a way of generating revenue to offset the state's budget deficit. Campbell, along with various legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, is looking into selling off several state-owned properties, including a golf course and the Los Angeles Coliseum."

"Selling the 150-acre fairgrounds in Costa Mesa could net about $200 million."

"Moving the entire site to Irvine would be costly and complex, said Fair and Exposition Center CEO Becky Bailey-Findley, who first learned of the idea last week. Bailey-Findley works with a nine-member, governor-appointed board to run the fairgrounds, which has been in Orange County for 112 years and made its home in Costa Mesa about 50 years ago."

"An extension of the fairgrounds in the form of a historical ranch and community programs already has been proposed for the Great Park, Bailey-Findley said."

"Costa Mesa City Manager Alan Roeder said the city has not taken a stance, but the idea 'strikes a sour note.'"

"Orange County Great Park board director and Irvine Councilman Chris Mears said the fair would be a welcome component of the park."

Click for the entire story, followed by Daily Pilot editorial and reader reaction, mostly negative . . .

LA Times, April 28, 2004
"Final Hahn LAX Plan to Be Released"
"The City Council is not expected to adopt the $9-billion proposal in its present form."
 
"Mayor James K. Hahn will release his final plan to remodel aging Los Angeles International today with little fanfare . . . The release is a milestone for city officials, who have spent $126 million devising a plan to remake the airport to satisfy the sometimes conflicting goals of nearby residents, airlines and lawmakers."

"But before the ink had even dried on Hahn's 36,464-page proposal, there was general agreement at City Hall that the plan had small chance of winning City Council approval in its present form."

"Officials made only minor alterations to the mayor's proposal in response to 3,200 comments submitted by the public."  More . . .

El Toro Info Site report, April 27, 2004
Newport has an issue with Irvine over lack of park space

Tonight's Newport Beach City Council agenda includes a proposal to send a letter to the City of Irvine expressing concerns about a commercial development in the Irvine Business Complex. The project, to include 1380 residential units, is located in Irvine on the former Parker-Hannifin site, south of Interstate 405, west of Jamboree Road, north of Michelson Road and easterly of Von Karman Avenue. It includes park space along with residential and commercial uses.

Commenting on perceived deficiencies in a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report for the project, Newport Beach staff reports:

The DSEIR also notes that Irvine residents may enjoy substantial regional recreational opportunities including parks and beaches in the City of Newport Beach.  However, the DSEIR fails to analyze the Project’s impacts on such resources in the City of Newport Beach.

Further, the DSEIR proposes a park plan including one 2.62 acre centrally located park and three 0.33 acre parks distributed around the project (a total of 3.01 acres of parks). This falls well below the City of Irvine standard of 5 acres of parks for each 1000 residents. The DSEIR appears to rely on large regional parks within the City to satisfy the Project recreational requirements.

The Project’s proposed parks have limited features. The closest lighted park with extensive fields is the City of Newport Beach’s Bonita Creek Community Park, which is currently heavily used by Newport Beach residents. As indicated above, the DSEIR should be revised, a new or subsequent EIR developed which addresses these concerns and ensures that the Project will have no significant and unmitigated impacts on recreational resources, including an analysis of impacts on parks within the City of Newport Beach, and any appropriate mitigation.

Website Editor: We never realized that Newport Beach was so in favor of more park space in Irvine. AWG anti-Great Park rhetoric frequently referred to the shortage of parks in North County and an alleged surplus in South County.

LA Times, April 26, 2004
"Some See Winner in Hollywood Park Move"
"Idea is in exploratory stages. But Inglewood, at least, is eager to find uses for racetrack's 237 acres."

"For Irvine, a racetrack at the former El Toro Marine base would bolster its hopes to transform the closed base into a giant park surrounded by homes, offices and stores . . . . Irvine officials have warmed to the idea of letting Hollywood Park's owners reinvent the facility on the former base, a locale that would showcase horse racing along with concerts, expositions and other events catering to a younger and more affluent clientele."

"In Inglewood, some track old-timers lament the prospect of losing the 66-year-old institution that opened during Hollywood's golden era. But city officials are upbeat about the possibility of a move, which would open the track's 237 acres to retail development that could double its current tax take."

"The U.S. Navy, which owns the [El Toro] property, is finishing environmental work necessary to auction the land, expected to take place in late fall. The base is to be sold off in quarters, and businesses like a racetrack must form a partnership with winning bidders."

"Officials at Hollywood Park and Churchill Downs Inc., headquartered in Kentucky, have declined to comment on the possibility of moving the track and selling the Inglewood facility." Click for more . . .

Daily Pilot, April 24, 2004
"Fairgrounds may move to Great Park"

" The state-owned Orange County Fairgrounds would be sold and fair operations relocated to the planned Great Park at the closed El Toro Marine Air Base under a proposal by 70th District Assemblyman John Campbell to help balance the state budget."

"Campbell pitched the idea Friday in an e-mail newsletter sent to constituents. He estimates the 170-acre property could fetch as much as $300 million. Legislators are considering the sale of other state-owned properties including the L.A. Coliseum and San Francisco's Cow Palace to fill budget holes."

"Fair officials are interested in being part of the Great Park, but only to add to the facilities they have in Costa Mesa . . . The fair board has considered building a 35-acre horse ranch at the Great Park."

"Campbell said if people are interested in the plan he'd like to get it into this year's budget, but movement on it could be slow because hammering out the details of the Great Park and selling state lands will take some time."  More . . .


El Toro Info Site report, April 23, 2004
ALUC Untouchables

Gerald Bresnahan and Ron Prost represent the publicly owned John Wayne and Fullerton Airports on the Airport Land Use Commission.  Both favor a commercial airport at El Toro and block every effort to rescind the obsolete airport-related land use restrictions around the former base. The majority of the Board of Supervisors wants the El Toro land use restrictions lifted but Bresnahan and Prost refuse to comply.

Moreover, they are untouchable, with no one in County government seemingly able to remove them from the commission, even when their terms expire.

According to Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson's office, the situation works like this: The John Wayne and Fullerton Airport ALUC representatives are selected by the two airports' managers, who are Alan Murphy for JWA and Prost himself for Fullerton. Unless Murphy and Prost both agree to replace JWA's Bresnahan, a stalemate occurs and nothing happens. It takes two votes or the status quo continues.

Even if Murphy supports the position of the supervisors, we are told that he is powerless to remove the contrary-minded Bresnahan as his airport's rep without Prost's agreement.

It's very hard to believe but apparently Murphy can't control who represents the airport that he runs for the County.

If Murphy were to oppose El Toro supporter Prost's reappointment when the latter's term expires soon on May 1, Prost could vote for himself, create a 1-1 stalemate, and keep the position until a successor is chosen.  Apparently Prost can't be replaced unless Prost agrees.

Therefore Prost gets to control two rep positions, Fullerton's and John Wayne's. Murphy and the Board of Supervisors seemingly control neither of them.

The breakdown on the commission and who appoints them under state law is as follows:

Voting to keep the El Toro restrictions:
Gerald Bresnahan, Chairman, Selected by JWA and Fullerton Airport Managers
Ron Prost, Vice-Chairman, Selected by JWA and Fullerton Airport Managers
Patty Campbell, Seal Beach Mayor and rep to OCRAA, Selected by the League of Cities
Don Webb, Newport Beach City Councilman, Selected by the League of Cities
Herman Beverberg, Public member, Selected by the other ALUC members

Voting to remove the El Toro restrictions:
Denny Harrris, Selected by the Board of Supervisors
Tom O'Malley, Selected by the Board of Supervisors

El Toro Info Site Report, April 22, 2004
Navy and Irvine meet

Wayne Arny, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Facilities, was in town yesterday meeting with City of Irvine officials regarding the scheduling of the land sale at El Toro. Efforts are being made to work through issues that are delaying the release of the Requests for Bids.

El Toro Info Site Report, April 21, 2004 11:00 AM
What the Judge said

The full text of Judge Jameson's Minute Order is retyped for website publication. It provides a good look at the flavor of the judge's conclusions and the weakness of the AWG's case against the Great Park EIR.

"The Court finds that the project description is neither misleading nor inadequate."

"Contrary to Petitioners [AWG]; argument, the Proposed Development Agreement does not permit the City and or developers to increase the limitation on development."

"Petitioners fail to provide any evidence to support their argument that the Project cannot be developed absent developer financing."

"Although the Petitioners allege in their Petition that the EIR fails to address the project's noise impacts, they have failed to put forth any argument or evidence in support of this allegation."

"The Respondents [City of Irvine] Motion for judgement on the Petition for Writ of Mandate brought by Airport Working Group of Orange County, Inc. is granted in full, with the exception of the [AWG] challenge to the Respondents' determination on the issue of hazardous materials. The Court has requested additional briefing on this issue."

The Judge's Minute Order looks like a defeat of the delaying tactics of the AWG and Barbara Lichman. Principally, Judge Jameson is requesting more information regarding the Navy's Findings of Suitability to Lease (FOSL) program. This covers parcels that are not yet fully cleaned up and therefore not covered by a Finding of Suitability for Sale (FOSS) See more below.

OC Register, April 21, 2004 - updated
Irvine's Great Park plan gets initial environmental approval
But judge asks city for procedures on handling disputes.

"An Orange County Superior Court judge has upheld the key elements of Irvine's Great Park environmental impact report but asked the city how it will handle problems that may arise on land not yet environmentally cleansed."

"Judge Robert Jameson on Friday directed the city to submit procedures for how disputes will be handled if, for example, unexpected toxins are found on the old El Toro air base on land that is being rented pending completion of cleanup work. In selling old bases, the military often leases parcels where environmental scrubbing is under way. The land is sold when the work is complete. The Navy is responsible for cleaning up El Toro."

"The city pronounced itself pleased with Jameson's decision, as did the Airport Working Group, which had challenged the report."

"Mayor Larry Agran, [said] that the city would promptly provide the mitigation plans. The city must respond to the judge within 10 days."

"Still to be settled is an AWG challenge of Irvine's pending annexation of the former base. That lawsuit raises essentially the same issues as the group's litigation against the environmental report – that it inadequately addressed the dust and pollution that would be generated by demolition of old buildings on the base and the 900 acres of concrete run ways, taxiways, aircraft parking and building pads."

Website Editor: The judge' finding, which came in the form of a Minute Order, is good news for airport opponents. The AWG sought to have the EIR rejected by the court. Had they succeeded, it would have had to be redone and recirculated for public review - a process that would have delayed the sale by many months.

OC Register, April 19, 2004
"Inland airports beckon O.C."

"Three lonely inland airports have a message for Orange County: Forget El Toro. Bring us your passengers, your cargo, your jet-noise concerns."

"San Bernardino International Airport's passenger terminal is complete, the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville plans an ambitious rail complex, and March Air Reserve Base near Riverside appeals even to San Diego as a future airport."

"The big question for O.C.: If the outlying airports do lure airlines, how will O.C. passengers get there?"

"High-speed rail will cost billions and take years to build, but some experts say passenger-departure terminals could be built in O.C. and travelers bused to planeside."

The Register provides an in depth look at the inland airports with a companion full-page article on Taking flight in the east.


OC Register, April 19, 2004
"El Toro airport backers cling to hope"

Recycling an old story the Register writes, "In remarks at the 21st anniversary of the Airport Working Group earlier this month, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher urged members of the pro-El Toro airport group to soldier on - an airport at El Toro is still possible."

"Later, Rohrabacher said the failure to create an El Toro airport is a 'story of unbending selfishness. A $2 billion asset squandered for fear it would add one decibel of noise. It's a triumph of NIMBYism.'" Website Editor: They used to claim it was a $10 billion asset.

"Rohrabacher said that after the November elections, it might be more politically possible to generate support for an El Toro airport."

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran "noted that the old base is now within the city of Irvine and that the Navy has said it plans to proceed with auctioning the old base this fall." Website Editor: That sounds like more schedule slippage by the Navy.

The Airport Working Group acknowledges that reviving interest in an El Toro airport would require a miracle.

LA Times, April 18, 2004
"LAX Contract Prompts Questions"

"For more than a quarter century, when the city of Los Angeles needed advice on how to run its airports, officials turned to John F. Brown Co. The Cincinnati-based consulting firm has helped redesign passenger lounges and develop cargo hangars, negotiated with airlines on the airport's behalf, even helped decide whether the city should sell LAX."

"Then, on Jan. 6, 2003, Brown was cut off. Moving toward giving the company a new $1.5-million contract without competitive bidding, airport officials abruptly decided another consultant should do the work."

"As local and federal prosecutors probe contracting at Los Angeles World Airports, the Port of Los Angeles and the city's Department of Water and Power, the story of how Brown almost won and then lost its management contract helps explain why questions linger about business practices at the world's fifth-busiest airport."  More . . .

Website Editor: This strikes a chord with us because we still are waiting for the results of a 2001 passenger study conducted at LAX and Ontario. The original contractor was paid the contract total of $500,000 but dismissed before the report was completed. A second contractor was hired a year and a half ago for an additional $50,000 to complete the report but it has yet to be released.


Daily Breeze, April 17, 2004
"Hahn's missteps on LAX analyzed"

LA Mayor James Hahn's  "$9 billion-plus plan he proposed for LAX accomplished something that many people once thought impossible: It drove airlines and residents -- two groups with seemingly opposite interests -- into bed with one another."
 
"Critics identify a litany of flaws with Hahn's LAX Master Plan approach, ranging from the people he chose to promote it to his inflexibility in considering modifications. But all agreed that his greatest mistake was developing the plan without first soliciting input from major stake holders, especially airlines and surrounding residents and businesses. "

"'It was done in a vacuum, without coordination of any sort with the real community,' said Westchester resident Denny Schneider . . . 'Their initial approach was we're going to do it and we're going to tell you what we're going to do for you. ... They never wanted to hear what we had to say.'"

Website Editor: Click here to read the entire editorial. We can't help think how many parallels there are to the previous Orange County approach to El Toro. Surrounding residents hated it and not a single airline signed on to the proposed two-airport concept for John Wayne and El Toro.

El Toro Info Site Report, April 16, 2004
Airport Land Use Commission remains obstinate

The Airport Land Use Commission spent a substantial amount of time Thursday afternoon on a review of the City of Aliso Viejo's General Plan. The plan was amended in order to bring the City into compliance with ALUC's obsolete El Toro Airport Environs Land Use Plan.

Commissioner Tom O'Malley, a Board of Supervisors appointee to ALUC, scolded the commission for wasting public funds by requiring the plan amendments in Aliso Viejo and then spending commission staff time on verifying compliance with out-of-date El Toro restrictions. He noted that SCAG, in coordination with the FAA, had removed El Toro from the Regional Transportation Plan.

The County removed the avigation easements over residences in the City after cancellation of plans for an airport at El Toro. ALUC remains the only governmental agency clinging to the airport proposal.

Alternate Commission Len Kranser submitted a letter to the commission, questioning whether they had legal authority to impose land use restrictions around El Toro. The California Public Utilities Code authorizes the ALUC to set restrictions around airports, which are defined in the code [21013] as places where aircraft either "land or are intended to land". El Toro fits neither the use nor intention criterion.

Unfortunately, County Counsel, when asked by Supervisor Tom Wilson, avoided taking a firm stand in support of the position that El Toro no longer meets PUC conditions.

Laguna Beach Coastline News, April 16, 2004
"Low rumble overhead"

"Flights out of John Wayne Airport take off headed out to sea until released by the Federal Aeronautics Administration to turn back over land. Following the closure of the U.S. Marine Air Base at El Toro, some commercial airliners began flying over Laguna Beach at an appreciably lower altitude, making the inland turn earlier, which saves time and fuel. Residents were told that new technology made the earlier release possible."

"City officials and residents complained to the Federal Aviation Administration and to the noise complaint office at John Wayne Airport. They were told that flight patterns had not been altered."

"Mayor Cheryl Kinsman and City Manager Ken Frank appealed to Congressman Christopher Cox for support in their quest to convince the FAA to stop the low flights."

"People who are annoyed by the low flights can call the John Wayne noise abatement number, 252-5185, and the FAA Noise Hotline for the Western Region at (310) 725-3638, or write FAA Regional Administrator, P.O. Box 92007, Los Angeles Ca., 90009."

Website Editor: A John Wayne flight tracker is available to show the route and height of each plane in real time. Click for the link.

The most recent John Wayne Noise Abatement Program quarterly report for the 3-month period ending December 31, 2003 records 12 complaints from Laguna Beach. Balboa Island had 18, Newport Beach 14, Santa Ana, Eastbluff and Costa Mesa each had 13.

LA Times, April 15, 2004
"Official Offers Alternative LAX Proposal"

"City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski disclosed details Wednesday of a compromise plan for modernizing Los Angeles International Airport that would cost a fraction of Mayor James K. Hahn's $9-billion makeover and leave the existing airport largely intact."

"Her plan calls for a far more modest modernization, costing roughly $3 billion. It would push the most controversial elements of Hahn's blueprint — including a passenger check-in center near the San Diego Freeway — off to a second phase that would proceed only after an extensive public review."

"Her plan is similar to proposals suggested by influential business groups, several airlines and nearby communities."

"But the unusual method that Miscikowski would use to implement her proposal has raised alarm bells among the very groups that the councilwoman is trying to placate."

"To work within existing environmental studies, Miscikowski suggests that the council approve Hahn's plan and send it to the Federal Aviation Administration for review."

"Her LAX proposal would be spelled out in what is known as the specific plan — a planning document required under city law, she said. The specific plan, she said, details what projects the city is allowed to build in the LAX area."

Website Editor: The situation had parallels in Orange County where the Board of Supervisors approved an EIR for a 28.8 MAP El Toro airport but sought to placate residents by approving construction of 18.8 MAP.

Click for more.

LA Daily News, April 14, 2004
"Hahn backs Antelope Valley rail route"

"Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn urged state officials Tuesday to select an Antelope Valley route for the California High Speed Rail Project . . . The mayor's statement was provided to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which held a public hearing on its draft environmental report. The $37 billion project calls for running electric trains at 200 mph between Northern and Southern California, connecting major cities and airports."

"A key issue is whether the Bakersfield-to-Los Angeles route should follow the 5 Freeway corridor or the 14 Freeway to Palmdale through the Antelope Valley."

Hahn "said, it would serve to provide relief for Los Angeles International Airport by moving travelers to other facilities such as Palmdale Regional Airport, located on land leased by the city of Los Angeles from the U.S. Air Force."

Click for two news stories on this subject.

Website Editor: Competing for transportation funds with the north-south California High Speed Rail Project, the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission proposes a Maglev route between Orange County and Las Vegas. The Southern California Association of Governments is promoting a third plan for several Maglev routes connecting airports and cities in its region.

The long distance routes to Northern California and the Nevada have potential to alleviate a portion of future air travel demand.  The SCAG project's focus is more on moving people to outlying airports in its region.

Daily Pilot, April 14, 2004
"Airport debate reaching new altitudes"
"AT ISSUE: Airport Working Groups quest to continue to fight for an airport at the former El Toro Marine Air Base, despite various blows to their campaign."

Website Editor: The judge who expected to rule during the first week of March on the Airport Working Group's lawsuit against Irvine's Great Park Environmental Impact Report has yet to be heard from. The Navy's environmental experts are  meeting with state Environmental Protection Agency staff to resolve cleanup issues. The Navy and City of Irvine are still talking about the schedule. There is no word on when the auction will begin.

To fill the long weeks of no visible action, the Daily Pilot provides ink to participants of all stripes to pump up the debate over the deflated El Toro airport plan. Today we read letters from anti-airport activist Dave Kirkey and V-plan backer Charles Griffin. Click here.


LA Times, April 14, 2004
"LAX Officials Ask FAA to Probe System Failure"

"Los Angeles International Airport officials on Tuesday demanded that the Federal Aviation Administration investigate why a momentary power outage caused radar and communications systems at the control tower to malfunction, delaying nearly 100 incoming flights."

"Though the FAA said its contingency plans mostly worked during Monday's power failure, airport administrators and air-traffic controllers expressed alarm that some equipment took up to five hours to start working again."

"Tower controllers on duty during the power outage said they had never seen a system failure like it — even during the 1996 blackout that hit much of the West Coast."

"Authorities believe that a bird stepping on an electrical line a few blocks from LAX caused the power failure."

"Two backup power sources are supposed to activate immediately if electricity to the airport is cut. The system is designed to prevent the control tower from ever losing power by having backup batteries ready."

"FAA technicians now believe that power went off in the control tower and LAX administrative building because the backup batteries somehow failed to turn on. The power loss, which lasted less than a second, was enough to cause key equipment to shut down, said Donn Walker, an FAA spokesman."

El Toro Info Site report, April 10, 2004
Population growth by county

The U.S. Census Bureau released 3-year growth data on Thursday. The figures are from the Census Bureau's population estimates from April 1, 2000, to July 1 last year.

Not surprising to those who have been involved in the airport debate, the Southern California growth rate was heavily skewed towards the Inland Empire, though Los Angeles posted the biggest population increase in the entire state.

County Population increase, 4/1/00 to 7/1/03
Los Angeles 352,176
Riverside 237,263
San Bernardino 150,244
San Diego 117,053
Orange 111,477
Ventura 37,933
   
Orange was the slowest growing of the major counties. South O.C., which El Toro advocates often irresponsibly accuse of being a principal source of the region's growing aviation demand, is a minor factor in the overall picture. Click for more population data.


Daily Pilot, April 8, 2004
"Airport Working Group not giving up"
"Dana Rohrabacher is the keynote speaker at a meeting urging that the El Toro battle isn't over yet."

"Members of a group that has fought the expansion of John Wayne Airport and lobbied for an airport at the El Toro Marine Air Base on Wednesday pledged to continue their fight for a second airport in Orange County."

"At the Airport Working Group's annual meeting held in the Newport Beach Golf Club, group leaders said they will not fade away with the voting down of the airport initiative."

"Regardless of the passage of Measure W, an airport in El Toro is an issue which can be resurrected after the November election, said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who delivered the keynote address on Wednesday."

"There is added hope with the city of Los Angeles running out of options for LAX and San Diego realizing their slim chances of finding a site for a second airport in its county, said attorney Barbara Lichman, who represents the group. 'The good news is the runways are still there in El Toro,' she said."
For more . . .


LA Times, April 8, 2004
"Modified LAX Plan on Hahn's Radar?"
"Departures of 2 key officials may signal compromise from the mayor"

Two and half years after LA Mayor James K. Hahn "unveiled his plan for a massive modernization of Los Angeles International Airport . . . the plan has come under relentless criticism from surrounding communities, major airlines and City Council members. And now, its two leading champions have left Hahn's administration amid criminal probes into the awarding of airport contracts."

"Many city leaders, including council members poised to consider the $9-billion proposal, are saying that Hahn's plan — with its vast new passenger check-in terminal — is dead on arrival."

"With the resignations of Airport Commission President Ted Stein on Tuesday and Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards two weeks ago, Hahn appears to be signaling that he is willing to consider changes to the project, according to elected officials and community leaders."

"His plan was a major departure from that of his predecessor, Richard Riordan, who envisioned vastly increasing LAX's passenger capacity. Riordan's idea had run into opposition from nearby cities that feared more jet noise, traffic and pollution."

"What a compromise plan will look like remains unclear."

"Plans being pushed by the airline industry and other business groups would spend no more than $3 billion to remodel the Tom Bradley International Terminal, expand a system of FlyAway bus centers, build a consolidated rental car facility and move a southern runway closer to El Segundo to decrease near misses between aircraft." Click for the entire article.

Website Editor: Hahn's election campaign commitment to limit the capacity of LAX to 78 MAP is driving SCAG's plan to shift large amounts of future air travel to other airports. It is a plan that has drawn opposition from most airlines, officials at Burbank and March, and skepticism elsewhere.


Irvine World News, April 7, 2004 - updated
"Newport Beach wants to get ‘warm and fuzzy’"
"Leaders reaching hands across city borders"

"Irvine officials won’t be sore winners. That’s how Mayor Larry Agran described the city’s possible partnership –– or at least renewed dialogue –– with its longtime foe and political nemesis, Newport Beach."

"Along with Agran, City Council members on both sides seem ready to let bygones be bygones and quash the rivalry that formed out of the decade-long fight over the 4,700-acre El Toro Marine Corps base."

"'They’re our neighbors and hopefully we’ll have a good working relationship with them. There’s no reason we can’t,' said council member Chris Mears."

"Newport council member Steve Bromberg said that the city wants to sit down with Irvine officials to discuss issues such as development in the Irvine Business Complex, which may generate traffic into Newport Beach. 'We’re gonna get warm and fuzzy (with Irvine),' said a chuckling Bromberg."

"Irvine officials seem receptive to the idea."

The Newport Beach City Council resolution to be voted on at the next council meeting apparently calls for a 5 member borders committee consisting of 3 councilmembers from Newport Beach and 2 from Irvine.

Click here for the entire article which gives no hint of what Irvine wants in return for talking about Newport's traffic concerns. We offer suggestions in a website editorial below, which also appeared as a letter in the Irvine paper.


Daily Pilot, April 7, 2004
"Long lessons learned: Airport fight not over"

Website Editor: Lest anyone reading the news stories of the last few days think that Newport Beach has stopped fighting for an airport at El Toro, we have today's historical perspective in a letter in the Daily Pilot from long-time activist Dan Emory. Click here for his letter seeking to rally the pro-El Toro troops that concludes:

"We can't make those kinds of mistakes again. The next battle will assuredly be another Armageddon unless we're prepared to take off the gloves and develop a hard-nosed, effective, multifaceted strategy now. No more tax-exempt status [for the AWG] that bars political action and fundraising for political purposes."

"It's never over till it's over."

El Toro Info Site report, April 6, 2004
LA Airport Board President resigns

Ted Stein, the embattled President of the Los Angeles Airport Commission resigned today. Stein had been one of the region's most powerful officials pushing for an airport at El Toro.

With the departure of both Stein and former Deputy Mayor Tom Edwards, and this week's approval of SCAG's new Regional Transportation Plan, any momentum for a Los Angeles-run airport at El Toro appears to be gone.

El Toro Info Site report, April 6, 2004
Some suggestions for Newport Beach

As the City Council of Newport Beach considers reaching out to the City of Irvine we offer some suggestions. Don't just focus on what Newport wants, which seems to be a voice in Irvine development bordering the beach city and the resultant traffic.

How about:

Calling off the Airport Working Group dogs who are suing Irvine. The AWG got $3.7 million from Newport Beach to fight against Measure W and was never required to return the leftover money despite feeble calls for them to do so from a council member or two.

Directing Newport Beach's representative on the Airport Land Use Commission to stop supporting the continuation of land use restrictions around El Toro, which is no longer intended to be an airport. NPB Councilman Webb voted against even agendizing a discussion on the subject at the last ALUC meeting.

Rescinding the city's aviation policy, which still advocates an airport at El Toro.

Giving up the idea of unilateral Newport Beach control over John Wayne airport. Irvine bears the brunt of the road traffic to the airport. Furthermore, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have significant interest in what occurs at the airport and in its flight paths. JWA is a county asset, not a pawn that Newport Beach should be allowed to manipulate for its own benefit.

Daily Pilot, Editorial April 4, 2004
"Mending fences easier in tandem"

"Newport Beach and Irvine have had some bloody El Toro battles, and the hard feelings are still evident among many. But there appears to be hope that the Irvine/Newport Beach Borders Committee that Newport Beach leaders want to create marks a long stride toward a less acidic relationship."

"Residents who still want an airport at El Toro continue to say so in letters to the editor, and they'll probably keep writing regardless of unions between Newport and Irvine, which is fine. City leaders, however, have a greater responsibility to move on — or at least move on to other important issues. Irvine will be Newport's neighbor a lot longer than residents will remain upset over the El Toro issue, as hard as that might be to believe."

"Interest in forming the committee will be on Tuesday's City Council agenda, and a favorable reception by council members would put the ball in the Irvine council's court."  More . . .

Daily Breeze, April 3, 2004
"LAX panel chief's fate will be left in his own hands"

"Despite criticism from inside City Hall and mounting pressure from two grand jury investigations, Mayor James Hahn said Friday that he will let Airport Commission President Ted Stein decide whether to continue in his post."

"With prosecutors investigating Stein and his handling of airport contracts, Hahn offered little defense of the man he picked to lead the commission, which sets policy for Los Angeles International Airport and three other city-owned airports."

"Questions regarding Stein's future were fueled last week by the resignation of Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards, Hahn's top adviser on airport issues. And Hahn's comments about Stein on Friday were muted compared to one month ago, when the mayor praised Stein's LAX Master Plan work." Click here for more.

Website Editor: Stein, as Vice-Chairman of SCAG's Aviation Task Force, was a powerful El Toro Airport advocate. He and Edwards co-authored the Los Angeles bid to take over and operate an airport at the former Marine base.

LA Times, April 2, 2004
"Long-Range Transit Plan Is Approved

Regional agency's $213-billion blueprint includes calls for major growth at smaller airports, a magnetic-levitation railway and a higher gas tax."

"A Southern California government organization on Thursday adopted a controversial long-range transportation plan that calls for dramatic growth in the region's small airports, a magnetic-levitation train system and more toll lanes on freeways, including the 710 and the 101."

"The plan was approved by an overwhelming majority of SCAG's regional council of more than 40 elected officials representing Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. But it also drew some heated criticism."

"Charles Lombardo, president of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, called the plan a 'scam' for projecting such high growth in air traffic."

Website Editor: Adoption of the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan is another victory for El Toro opponents. SCAG removed El Toro from the airport mix included in the previous 2001 plan.

Click here for more.

El Toro Info Site Report, April 1, 2004
Diehards won't let go of El Toro

Visit our Message Board's Early Bird thread where today's offerings of Newport Beach pro-El Toro commentary and diehard letters are posted.  Also check out the Comments on SCAG's 2004 Regional Transportation Plan Environmental Impact Report for signs of lingering reluctance to let go of El Toro. 

A good taste of how some outside of  Orange County view us can be found in the EIR comment letter from the City of El Segundo prepared by the city's airport consultant Denny Zane of Urban Dimensions. (Zane accompanied OC Supervisor Chuck Smith and El Segundo Mayor Mike Gordon on a November 2002 Southern California Regional Airport Authority's junket to Germany.)

The February 6, 2004 El Segundo letter erroneously states, "Orange County currently handles approximately one-third of its annual passenger demand and less than one percent of its annual air cargo demand at the County's only commercial airport, John Wayne Airport, which is subject to long-term legal capacity limitations. The County exports the overwhelming majority of its aviation demand to airports in other counties, primarily LAX."

In fact, Orange County currently handles more than half of its passenger demand at John Wayne.

The letter continues, "Without a second airport in Orange County an additional 30,000 people in the region - in mostly low-income and minority communities - will suffer the negative impacts of Orange County's aviation demand.  This transfer of environmental burden from the mostly white affluent majority of south Orange County to the low-income and minority communities of other counties is an obvious and egregious violation of principles of environmental justice."

El Segundo's concern for minorities and disdain for the "mostly white" majority of South Orange County is unconvincing coming from a city which, according to the 2000 census, is 83.6 percent white.

The city's concern seems more to do with fighting LA's proposal to improve airport operations by moving the south LAX runway just 50 feet closer to El Segundo.


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